An elderly , 70 years, female patient recently retired from her long long term job in fort worth moved to Denver, CO, to live close to her daughter. Denver is at much higher elevation than fort Worth.She went to emergency room for breathing difficulty, and upon examination it was discovered she has developed a viral infection of the lungs. She has been admitted for observation. She has fast, shallow breathing and a wet, wheezy cough. Fluid in the lungs is called pneumonia. How does fluid in the blood affect gas exchange? How did moving to a higher altitude possibly contribute to her respiratory problems?
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Higher Altitude
Low atmospheric oxygen level is experienced at higher elevation, which leads to the body trying to take in more at a faster rate
Dehydration: Within the first few hours of altitude exposure ; water loss increases which can result to dehydration
Increased metabolism: higher altitude increases metabolism while suppressing appetite,e one has to eat more than you feel like to maintain a neutral energy balance
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Location- Higher Altitude: the body lacks oxygen at higher altitude which increases the breathing rate
Age: (70 years) Respiratory functions decrease with age. old age also lowers immune functions thereby making the the body susceptible to various infections
New location: Due to her relocation, Viruses and microbes possibly not already introduced to her immune system
Viral infection e,g pneumonia which is characterized by wet, wheezy cough and fast, shallow breathing
Respiratory system
Transport of respiratory gases , oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood
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internal respiration: exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between systemic blood vessel and tissues
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Lungs Anatomy
Bronchioles: these are tubes in the lungs that branch off from larger bronchi and connect alveoli.,it ensures that incoming air is supplied to the Alveolus
Bronchioles: these iead air that passes through the trachea to the bronchioles It seperates branches in each lungs
Alveoli: Tiny air sac inside the lungs at the end of bronchioles. End point of respiratory system.Gas exchange with capillary occur i the alveoli
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Trachea(wind pipe): flexible tubular organ that extends from larynx into mediastinum, where it divides into 2 main bronchi
Pleura: Thin double layered serosal membrane that divides thoracic cavity into 2 pleural compartment
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Diaphragm: Dome shaped muscular partition separating the thorax from the abdomen in mammals. Contraction leads to increase in thoracic voliume allowing lungs to expand
pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. the lungs are made up of small sacs called alveoli which is filled with air naturally. An individual with pneumonia has pus and fluid in the alveoli which limits oxygen intake makes breathing difficulty
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Pulmonary Ventilation
Pleural pressure: This is the pressure of air within the pleural cavity between the Visceral and the parietal pleurae
Intra-Alveolar pressure:This is the pressure within alveoli. It changes during different phase of breathing. Intrapulmonary pressure always equalize with atmospheric pressure.
Thoracic wall compliance: This is the ability of the thoracic wall to stretch while under pressure. Expansion of the thoracic cavity directly influences the ability of the lungs to expand.
Inspiration: This is the process that causes air to enter the lungs. Accessory muscles are activated
Expiration: this is the process that causes air to leave the lungs. It is a passive process and energy is not required.
Gas laws
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Diffusion
This is the movement of particles across a membrane from higher to lower concentration. Oxygen is in greater quantity, so it diffuses into the capillaries through the alveoli
Carbon Dioxide is in grater quantity inside the capillaries so it diffuses out. The path of diffusion either oxygenated or deoxygenated the blood.
Partial Pressure
This is the difference in the concentration of a gas in a mixture of gases in which the gas is at a higher pressure in one location and low in another
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